"No fucking way!"

That was the first thing that almost everyone's mouth after recapping everyone with the biggest jaw-dropping news regarding one Ryan Peavey and myself: he and I were assigned to be partners for a project in Ms. Lancaster's class. And as much as the teacher knows that it was socially criminal for me to be paired with someone who was off-limits to everyone in the eyes of one Jillian Kendricks, there wasn't much to be done about it. I had to do this project with little to no fuss.

Needless to say, no one in my social group (Epiphany, Serenity, Derrick, Holly, my foster brothers, and even Oliver) were happy about this, much less the entire school since the news spread like wildfire.

"This is just nuts," Javi said bitterly as we all gathered at the vending machines. "Doesn't Lancaster know that this is like a recipe for disaster?"

"At least she was apologetic about it when I had to stay after class to talk with her about this," I replied, pausing to sip on some water. "She said that she and most of the teachers who were involved with getting this project formulated were against me being partnered with Ryan and that it was going to be a nightmare. She even talked to McNeese, the American Literature teacher for the juniors, about changing the partners. But McNeese wouldn't hear of it and insisted that this would be good for me to branch out and get to know Ryan better, even accused me of being so cynical to a guy who wants to be friendly with me, according to Lancaster."

"Do the Callaways know about this? Do your foster dads? Or even Nguyen?" asked Epiphany.

"They do now," Antonio intoned, shaking his head. "But their hands were tied as well since McNeese is a big fan of the football team and strongly believed that Demario needs to be around 'all-American men to point him to the right direction.' Her words, not mine."

"This is some bullshit," Serenity muttered, letting out an exasperated sigh. "This could go so wrong in so many levels that-"

"Bader!"

All eyes whipped around to see none other than Theo Blake and a couple of his Goth-dressed pro-suicide friends storming to us with sneers on their faces. "What is it, Blake?" Evan said. "Can't you see that-"

"I'm here for Bader only, Lomax," Theo spat before giving me a leering grin. "I heard all about what happened at Lancaster's class and Jillian's not too thrilled about you being partnered with what's not rightfully yours."

"Look, Theo. I-" I began.

"I speak, you listen," Theo interrupted, giving me a devilish glare. "Anyway, she knows that you're trying to slime your way into Ryan's life after she specifically told you to stay away from him. And while it's for academic purposes, she still hates it that he's with someone who should've killed themselves a long time ago."

"Watch it, Blake," Oliver growled tersely, standing to my right with fists clenched at his sides.

"Ah, so the tranny freak is ready to fight the loser's battles," one of Theo's minions mocked. "Pathetic."

"All the same, Demario needs to understand that Ryan Peavey is too much of a god to be seen with the likes of drenched rats like himself," Theo went on. "If I were him, he needs to tell Lancaster that he'll risk a failing grade to avoid my godsister's wrath. Unless he plans to accept her offer in becoming a music sensation as she hopes. I will not like when I say that he does have potential in becoming a recording artist. Why stick around with what's forbidden when you can take the easy way out and be part of something much better?"

I took a deep breath. "Because I already know that it's all smoke, mirrors, and lies- your saintly godsister's offer, that is," I replied thinly. "I don't know what's going on in her little head, but I do NOT and will NEVER- EVER- want anything romantically involved with Peavey no matter what she or he think. And if she continues to be lost in her jealous dark fantasies and you believe in what she says, then the both of you are completely and truly STARK RAVING BONKERS! B-O-N-K-E-R-S, in ALL capital letters!"

"Tell it, Bader!" Holly cheered as a small crowd gathered around.

Theo laughed coldly as he cracked his knuckles. "Well, consider this a message to remember her message: stay away from Ryan Peavey and accept her little offer...or you will pay the price," he spat lowly. "And this...well, this is because I don't like you at all."

Before anyone could ever react, he swiftly landed a punch to my jaw that sent me sprawling to the floor.

He spat at my feet as a few teachers and the Callaways came over to me. "Fuck off," he said bitterly before he and his crew swiftly ran off.

"What the hell happened?" Principal Callaway said as Derrick and Oliver came to help me up. "Did Theo-"

"If your question is whether or not that the suicidal Goth kid came over with a threatening message from his godsister and then punched the shit out of Demario, then the answer is yes," Serenity interrupted. "This is some 'Degrassi' meets 'Days of Our Lives' kind of bullshit and Demario's caught in the middle of it. Someone needs to take down Kendricks and Blake a peg- maybe laced their favorite drinks with laxatives or some prune juice."

"That may be a bit extreme, but anything to mellow those two out," I heard the smooth voice of Ryan Peavey reply as he, in his football-practice glory, walked over with a casual look on his face. To me, "Are you okay?"

I mumbled a yes, unwilling to look into the charismatic eyes of the quarterback's while gripping onto Oliver's hand as if my life depended on it.

"Ryan, what are you doing here?" Epiphany asked harshly. "You know that-"

"I know that Jillian's on the warpath and is still unwilling to let things be between me and her," Ryan cut her off. "And when it comes to people like Demario, I want to make it clear that I see what I like and I like what I see."

"Well, Demario and I are now a couple, so you can keep any plans of seduction to yourself," Oliver said tersely.

"But of course. Still, McNeese was right about one thing: Demario could use some guidance with his life and only all-American and REAL men like myself. He had plenty of time to spend time with people like you. I mean no offense, but don't you think it's fair that he needs to branch out and make stronger connections?"

"When it comes to people of your caliber with too much baggage and scorned ex-lovers, then no," Javi replied. "Where's your common sense, Peavey? You already know that Jillian's not going to have this stand."

"I know that, and I'll deal with her later," Ryan retorted. To me. "Demario, I would really like to get to know you better and vice-versa. And just so we're clear, I'll do anything to make you happy unlike Ollie would ever imagine he could do. I want you and no one else."

I worked up the courage to stare at Ryan, damn his tilted and stunning eyes and Adonis-esque body (Though Oliver is more athletic than the jock). "Ryan, I only want to keep things at a student-to-student level," I said sternly. "Nothing more than that."

Ryan smirked, chuckling darkly. "Well, I want to take things to the next level," he replied. "And once Homecoming Week begins, I'll make it known that you and I are meant to be together. What do you say about that?"

There was only one thing I could say: "Sorry to bust your bubble, but I'm not interested in you in any way, shape, or form. So let's just focus on the project and keep your mind out of the gutter."

Ryan nodded. "I plan to do that...and so much more."

"Leave, Peavey," Mr. Callaway demanded. "Leave, or I will report you to Coach Wilborn."

"To be continued," Ryan said before he casually strolled away.

I sighed deeply. "Why is my life one hell of a soap opera?" I asked lamentedly. Why is it indeed?

This definitely called for therapy with Dr. Nguyen. This day...was a total nightmare from hell.

Ain't that the truth, ladies and germs! And things just officially turned up to new levels as Demario has to deal with Ryan's wiles alongside his mental health, his mother's voice nagging him to end his life, Jillian and Theo threats, and him trying to survive junior year of high school! Talk about a real soap-opera storyline straight out of the "Degrassi" franchise storylines!

Anyway, you can't afford to miss the next chapter as Demario's in therapy before being invited by Peavey to attend his first football game. Will he accept and face more backlash from the Blake/Kendricks duo? Will he take his chances and turn Ryan down? All will be revealed in the next chapter, so stay tuned!

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